diff --git a/src/lib/db/client-db/index.ts b/src/lib/db/client-db/index.ts
index d3f0601..222bd80 100644
--- a/src/lib/db/client-db/index.ts
+++ b/src/lib/db/client-db/index.ts
@@ -7,5 +7,14 @@ import { SQLocalDrizzle } from "sqlocal/drizzle";
 const { driver, batchDriver, overwriteDatabaseFile } = new SQLocalDrizzle(
 	"database.sqlite3",
 );
+
 export const db = drizzle(driver, batchDriver);
+
+/**
+ * Concrete client DB type (SQLocal-backed Drizzle via sqlite-proxy).
+ * Exported to allow query helpers to accept the specific type without
+ * creating circular type references.
+ */
+export type ClientDb = typeof db;
+
 export { overwriteDatabaseFile };
diff --git a/src/lib/db/client-db/queries.ts b/src/lib/db/client-db/queries.ts
index 0a0f2c1..b4d3dc9 100644
--- a/src/lib/db/client-db/queries.ts
+++ b/src/lib/db/client-db/queries.ts
@@ -1,41 +1,29 @@
 import { desc, like } from "drizzle-orm";
 import { animeTable } from "$lib/db/schema";
+import type { ClientDb } from "./index";
 
 /**
  * Client-side DB query helpers (read-only).
  *
- * These functions assume the SQLocal-backed Drizzle `db` is already wired up.
- * Seeding/overwriting the database file should be handled separately (see `seed.ts`).
+ * These functions are intentionally side-effect free — seeding/overwriting the DB
+ * file should be done separately (see `seed.ts`).
  *
- * Keep these as pure query operations so pages/components can:
- *  1) ensure seeded
- *  2) query
+ * We accept the concrete SQLocal-backed Drizzle DB type so callers get full type inference.
  */
 
 export const DEFAULT_LIST_LIMIT = 20;
 export const MAX_LIST_LIMIT = 200;
 
-export type AnimeListItem = {
-	annId: number;
-	mainName: string;
-	year: number;
-	seasonId: number;
-	malId: number;
-};
-
 /**
  * Get a short list of anime entries for browsing.
  *
  * Sorted by (year desc, seasonId desc, annId desc).
  */
-export async function getAnimeList(
-	db: { select: (...args: any[]) => any },
-	limit = DEFAULT_LIST_LIMIT,
-): Promise<AnimeListItem[]> {
+export async function getAnimeList(db: ClientDb, limit = DEFAULT_LIST_LIMIT) {
 	const safeLimit = clampLimit(limit);
 
-	// NOTE: using explicit selection keeps payload small and stable
-	const rows = await (db as any)
+	// Explicit selection keeps payload small and gives a stable, inferred return type
+	return db
 		.select({
 			annId: animeTable.annId,
 			mainName: animeTable.mainName,
@@ -50,8 +38,6 @@ export async function getAnimeList(
 			desc(animeTable.annId),
 		)
 		.limit(safeLimit);
-
-	return rows as AnimeListItem[];
 }
 
 /**
@@ -61,17 +47,17 @@ export async function getAnimeList(
  * in the snapshot DB, and querying that instead.
  */
 export async function searchAnimeByName(
-	db: { select: (...args: any[]) => any },
+	db: ClientDb,
 	query: string,
 	limit = DEFAULT_LIST_LIMIT,
-): Promise<AnimeListItem[]> {
+) {
 	const q = query.trim();
 	if (!q) return [];
 
 	const safeLimit = clampLimit(limit);
 	const pattern = `%${q}%`;
 
-	const rows = await (db as any)
+	return db
 		.select({
 			annId: animeTable.annId,
 			mainName: animeTable.mainName,
@@ -87,8 +73,6 @@ export async function searchAnimeByName(
 			desc(animeTable.annId),
 		)
 		.limit(safeLimit);
-
-	return rows as AnimeListItem[];
 }
 
 function clampLimit(limit: number) {